How To Record On Mac

Tips
1

I’m trying to figure out an easy way to record my screen and system audio on my Mac for tutorials and gameplay videos, but I’m confused by all the different options like QuickTime, built‑in shortcuts, and third‑party apps. Some methods don’t capture internal sound, others lower the video quality, and I’m not sure what settings or tools give the best balance of quality and file size. Can someone walk me through a reliable setup for recording on macOS, including any must‑have apps or settings I should use?

2

For quick screen + system audio on Mac, here are the simple options that work and why.

  1. Fast built‑in way: Screenshot toolbar
    Works on macOS Mojave or newer.
    • Press Shift + Cmd + 5
    • Choose “Record Entire Screen” or “Record Selected Portion”
    • Click “Options”
    – Pick your mic if you want voice
    – Set save location
    • Start recording

Problem: it does not record system audio by itself. You need a virtual audio device.

You fix that with BlackHole or Loopback.

  1. Free setup: QuickTime + BlackHole
    Good for tutorials and light gameplay.

Step 1: Install BlackHole (2ch)
• Download from Existential Audio site
• Install, then restart audio if needed

Step 2: Create a Multi‑Output Device
• Open “Audio MIDI Setup”
• Bottom left, hit plus icon, choose “Create Multi-Output Device”
• Check your real output, for example “MacBook Speakers” or headphones
• Check “BlackHole 2ch”
• Right‑click it, set as “Use This Device For Sound Output”

Now the system audio flows to both your ears and BlackHole.

Step 3: Record with QuickTime
• Open QuickTime Player
• File → New Screen Recording
• Click the little arrow next to record icon
– Microphone: choose “BlackHole 2ch” if you want system audio
– Or pick “BlackHole 2ch + your mic” later in a DAW if you want more control
• Hit record and pick the area

If you want your mic and system audio together in one track, create an Aggregate Device in Audio MIDI Setup that includes BlackHole plus your mic, then pick that as the input in QuickTime. It is a bit fiddly but works once you set it up.

  1. Easiest full solution: OBS Studio
    Good for longer tutorials and gaming.

• Install OBS Studio
• Open OBS, add “Display Capture” for screen
• Set FPS in Settings → Video
– 30 fps for tutorials
– 60 fps for gaming if your machine handles it
• Audio:
– Settings → Audio, set “Desktop Audio” to your output or the virtual device
– “Mic/Auxiliary Audio” to your microphone
• Output → Recording
– Format: mkv or mp4
– Encoder: Apple VT H264 or x264
– Bitrate:
· Tutorials: 6000–8000 kbps
· Games: 12000–20000 kbps

OBS captures screen, mic, and system audio in one place. You also get scenes, overlays, separate tracks, etc.

  1. Built‑in shortcut with virtual audio
    If you prefer Shift + Cmd + 5 toolbar, you still need BlackHole or Loopback.
    • Set system output to Multi‑Output that includes BlackHole
    • In Screenshot Options, pick Microphone as BlackHole
    Result, the toolbar records system audio as if it were a mic.

  2. Paid tools if you want less hassle
    If you do this a lot, these are simpler.
    • ScreenFlow
    – Records screen, webcam, mic, system audio
    – Has timeline editing inside the app
    – Good for tutorials and software demos
    • Camtasia
    – Similar to ScreenFlow
    – Strong for step‑by‑step tutorial workflows
    • CleanShot X
    – Quick recordings for short clips
    – Less focused on long gaming sessions

Basic recommendation

For tutorials:
• Use Shift + Cmd + 5 or QuickTime + BlackHole
• If you edit later, QuickTime recordings are fine

For gaming or more serious work:
• Use OBS Studio plus BlackHole or Loopback
• Set 60 fps, H.264, and higher bitrate

If you say what Mac model and macOS version you have, plus if you care more about ease or quality, you get a more dialed‑in setup.

3

If @byteguru gave you the “this is how it should work” version, here’s the “this is what actually doesn’t suck day‑to‑day” version.

You basically have three real paths, depending on how much you care about sanity vs. money vs. quality:

1. If you want minimum pain and you have a bit of budget

Honestly, the whole BlackHole / virtual device thing works, but it’s fussy. For tutorials and gameplay where you don’t want to babysit audio routing every time:

ScreenFlow

  • Records screen, system audio, mic, webcam all in one go
  • Built‑in editor so you can cut out mistakes, zoom in on UI, add text callouts
  • It actually handles its own audio capture driver, so you don’t have to manually juggle Audio MIDI Setup every time

Why I’d pick it for tutorials:

  • Fast: hit record, do your thing, trim, export
  • You won’t constantly wonder “why is my system audio missing again”

Downside:

  • One‑time cost and it’s Mac only
  • Not ideal for super long raw gameplay marathons, file/project size gets chunky

For gameplay with light editing, ScreenFlow is actually underrated. Record at 60 fps, then export with H.264 at a decent bitrate and you’re fine for YouTube.

2. If you want gameplay focus and don’t mind a bit of setup

Yeah, OBS is great like @byteguru said, but here’s a slightly different take:

  • Set up two separate audio tracks in OBS
    • Track 1: Game/system audio
    • Track 2: Mic
  • In Settings → Output → Recording, enable multiple audio tracks
  • In the mixer, check which sources go to which tracks

Why this matters:
When you edit later in something like DaVinci Resolve, you can fix your voice volume without touching game volume. That’s a big deal for gameplay where one fight gets super loud and you’re whispering “so here’s the trick…”

For shorter tutorial style stuff, that complexity is honestly overkill. But for games, it’s worth the initial hassle.

3. If you’re stubborn about using only built‑in tools

I’m going to disagree a bit with the “QuickTime + BlackHole is fine” angle. Yes, it works, but for regular use it’s annoying:

  • You have to keep track of system output device
  • Forget once and you record a silent video
  • Switching between headphones, speakers, and the multi‑output gets old fast

If you really want Apple‑only:

  • Use Shift + Cmd + 5 for screen recording
  • Forget system audio during capture
  • Add important sounds or music in post

For tutorial videos, viewers honestly care way more about clear voice audio and readable screen than perfectly captured system sound. You can even demonstrate “this made a sound” verbally instead of capturing every click.

Some practical combos that actually work in real life

For tutorials (apps, coding, explainers):

  • Want easy + nice editing: ScreenFlow, all‑in‑one
  • Want free + you’re okay with fiddling: QuickTime or Shift + Cmd + 5 + BlackHole, and then edit in iMovie or DaVinci

For gameplay:

  • Serious about it: OBS with separate audio tracks, 60 fps, H.264, higher bitrate
  • Casual clips for friends: built‑in recorder without system audio, then just talk over later in a quick editor

If you share what you’re recording (fast‑paced games vs. slow UI demos) and whether you plan to edit every video, you can narrow it down to a single setup instead of juggling three half‑solutions.

4

If @byteguru mapped the sane paths, here’s the “weird but useful” angle that often gets skipped.

1. Built‑in tools, but smarter: hybrid workflow

Instead of fighting to get perfect system audio every time, decide what actually matters for each video.

For UI / coding / slow tutorials:

  • Record screen with Shift + Cmd + 5 (or QuickTime).
  • Use a USB mic and focus on getting clean voice.
  • For system sounds, only record them live when they’re instructional (like a notification sound you need to demonstrate). Otherwise, add sound or music later in editing.

This avoids the “why is my output device wrong again” problem that @byteguru called out with BlackHole, without giving up quality where it counts. Voice clarity beats perfect in‑line system audio for education every time.

Con: Not ideal if your tutorial relies on live app sound design (music apps, audio plugins, etc.).
Pro: Zero extra drivers, zero audio‑routing headaches.

2. Use a second device for audio sanity

One trick nobody mentions enough: use your Mac only for capture, and a second device for monitoring.

  • Mac: system output set to your virtual device or multi‑output (if you go the BlackHole / Loopback route).
  • Second device (iPad, old laptop, hardware recorder): feed from your headphone out or audio interface.

That way you can route system audio however you like without breaking your own monitoring. You reduce the most annoying part of virtual audio setups: not hearing what your viewers hear.

Pro: Once wired, you stop touching Audio MIDI Setup every session.
Con: Needs extra hardware and cables, overkill for casual recording.

3. When QuickTime actually makes sense

I’ll disagree slightly with the “QuickTime + BlackHole is only for masochists” take.

If your pattern is:

  • Record short clips
  • Minimal editing
  • Only occasionally need system audio

Then a simple preset setup can be enough:

  • Create one Aggregate Device or Multi‑Output Device once.
  • Save a small checklist for yourself:
    1. Set system output to the multi‑output.
    2. In QuickTime, pick that device as audio input.
    3. Hit record.

If you are not constantly switching between AirPods, speakers, and docks, this is actually pretty stable.

Pro: Totally free, integrates cleanly with macOS.
Con: AirPods users and laptop‑dock people will suffer more, since output devices jump around.

4. Think in “profiles,” not apps

Instead of asking “Which app should I use,” decide on profiles:

  • Tutorial Profile:

    • Priority: clean mic, legible screen.
    • Tool: built‑in recorder or QuickTime.
    • System audio: optional, added later if needed.

  • Gameplay Profile:

    • Priority: stable FPS and separate audio tracks.
    • Tool: OBS (agreeing with @byteguru here), but keep a simple scene: game + mic + system audio, nothing fancy.
    • Record multiple audio tracks for flexibility.

  • Mixed / live commentary Profile:

    • Priority: simple setup, fast edits.
    • All‑in‑one apps like ScreenFlow or similar are solid here since you get capture plus timeline in one place, though they are paid.

Once you decide which profile your video fits, you stop jumping between “maybe this time I try X.”

5. On the product title “How To Record On Mac”

Since you mentioned you’re basically searching “How To Record On Mac” already, think of that as your beginner’s bundle:

Pros:

  • Forces you to learn the built‑in shortcut (Shift + Cmd + 5) and QuickTime basics.
  • Gives you a foundation before spending money on paid tools.
  • Low friction and zero extra drivers.

Cons:

  • You will eventually hit its limits for gameplay and advanced audio routing.
  • System audio capture is not first class, so you end up using workarounds or third‑party helpers.

That’s where someone like @byteguru’s advice on OBS and ScreenFlow becomes the “upgrade path” once the basic “How To Record On Mac” style workflow feels cramped.

6. Practical recommendation based on your use case

  • If you’re mostly tutorials with light UI and voice:
    Start built‑in only. Use Shift + Cmd + 5 + a decent USB mic. Add music and key sound effects in editing. Forget live system audio for now.

  • If you’re mostly gameplay and care about future editing:
    Bite the bullet and learn OBS with two audio tracks. Keep scenes minimal. This is where you’ll outgrow pure “How To Record On Mac” level setups fastest.

  • If you want something that “just works” and you’re ok paying once:
    A dedicated Mac recorder/editor is still the least annoying daily driver. Single app, single workflow, and you get timeline editing right after capture.

If you share what percentage of your videos are gameplay vs tutorials, you can narrow this to exactly one setup instead of three parallel ones.